last minute taxes

February 5, 2006 9:04 PM

Just because I am nice, for the dude that asked this in MeTa:

I've been self employed for 12 years. I made a decent living in the music business and with property investments. NOW, at 39 yrs old, I want to grow up and get a REAL JOB. But over the years I kept lousy track of my TAX RECORDS and some years I was lazy and didn't make much. QUESTION IS: What would happen if I used fake tax returns to show a decade of organized self employment for the sole purpose of applying for jobs?

posted by wheelieman to law & government (19 comments total)

What kind of "real job" are you seeking?

I can't imagine any employer asking to see your tax records, even to verify that you were self-employed. The scenario seems absurd: "So, you say you were self-employed for twelve years ... let's see some proof of how self-employed you were, in the form of tax returns." I would be shocked if anyone asked you for any such thing. At most, they will ask for personal references.

And even if they were to ask for such proof, faking tax returns for any purpose is dangerous and almost certainly illegal.
posted by jayder at 9:21 PM on February 5, 2006

Why would you show your tax returns when you apply for a job? No-one will ask you for that info, so there is no need to lie about it but in general, no, I wouldn't lie when looking for a job.
posted by fshgrl at 9:21 PM on February 5, 2006

The preceding MeTa thread, fwiw.
posted by mwhybark at 9:23 PM on February 5, 2006

I'm not sure what industry you're seeking employment in, but like everyone else, I have never heard of someone being asked to produce tax returns at an interview. I think if you simply state that up until this point you have made a living from investing and temporary work, that's perfectly acceptable -- far more so than deception.

I would suggest you focus your attention on the people you have worked with; hopefully there are three people that you've worked with in the last few years in the music business who would verify that you are hardworking and competent. Credit checks for prospective candidates are more common these days, perhaps especially for someone without a standard employment history, so if there's anything iffy about your credit report, focus on clearing that up too.

Don't lie. It starts you out badly, and it's something that you'll always have hanging over your head. Concentrate instead on the positives -- managing your own investments and work schedule shows independence, organization (well, except for the tax records part), and initiative. You can sell yourself without falsehoods.
posted by melissa may at 9:32 PM on February 5, 2006

My impression is that employers can research and find out just about everything about you. I think you're better off not inventing events. Tell the truth and invent a good explanation.
posted by semmi at 11:04 PM on February 5, 2006

Sounds like a good way to get fired when they discover your fraud.
posted by caddis at 4:45 AM on February 6, 2006

Notwithstanding the fact that it's probably near-impossible to fake some tax returns, as an employer I wouldn't ask to see them, not even as proof of employment.

Really, who works in an under-the-table industry and REALLY pays their taxes, on their true and complete earnings? Come on now.
posted by elisabeth r at 5:04 AM on February 6, 2006

I went through a background investigations after a period of self employment. The issue of tax records never came up.
posted by bh at 5:55 AM on February 6, 2006

Since it wouldn't be a normal expectation that you have your tax records on hand, you don't need to stutter if asked for them. You can just say you need time to get them together. And you have to have them somewhere, right?

But really, I don't see how an employer would ask for tax records. So it's a non-issue.

Certainly don't falsify them, I would never hire someone who would do that.
posted by visual mechanic at 6:22 AM on February 6, 2006

It would be wise for you to 'fess up to the IRS now, before you get a real job and need to file a tax return. A 39-year old man with no federal tax or FICA history will draw attention. (A woman might get away with saying she was married and supported by her husband.) Do it sooner, not later.
posted by Carol Anne at 6:26 AM on February 6, 2006

Why not print out a PhD while you're at it.
posted by furtive at 6:56 AM on February 6, 2006

Screw with the IRS at your peril. They hold grudges for a long time, y'know?

Your tax records shouldn't come up as an issue for employment unless you're getting a job which requires a DEEP background check/security clearance.

It's not clear from the OP that you ignored your filings or didn't file some years or if you just keep lousy records only. The IRS *does* appreciate good-faith measures. As long as you're not trying to hide major income or something, you should be just fine.
posted by TeamBilly at 7:43 AM on February 6, 2006

I've never heard of tax returns being required for a job. Renting an apartment, yes, but not getting hired for something.

Also, this is going to sound snotty, but isn't meant to be. When looking for a new job, do not randomly capitalize words in any written communication. It makes you look nuts.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:37 AM on February 6, 2006

1) they won't ask for your tax returns

2) they don't have to ... they'll simply get a copy of your credit report which will have much of the information, such as where you were employed, where you've lived, etc

3) if you did give them phony tax returns and it conflicts with the information on the credit report, they probably wouldn't contact the irs ... but they probably won't hire you, either ... the credit report won't tell them how much you made, but it will give the name of an employer

4) there may be other sources of info they can delve into, also
posted by pyramid termite at 9:33 AM on February 6, 2006

2) they don't have to ... they'll simply get a copy of your credit report which will have much of the information, such as where you were employed, where you've lived, etc

I've never had an employer ask for a credit report (and yes, I have a nice professional job).

Also, wheelieman, if you're in the mood for advice giving, I often consider making the opposite move to what you're proposing (real job to music business). Any advice on how to do that?
posted by JekPorkins at 10:12 AM on February 6, 2006

I've never had an employer ask for a credit report

It is a very common practice, despite your one data point.
posted by caddis at 10:28 AM on February 6, 2006

It is a very common practice, despite your one data point.

It's actually several data points, as I've applied and interviewed for far more than one job in my lifetime, and have never had an employer run a credit check. It's admittedly anecdotal, but I think it's broadly indicative of the practice in my field, given the breadth of my experience. There are probably some types of jobs that run a credit check on prospective employees, and it's probably a common practice among those.
posted by JekPorkins at 10:41 AM on February 6, 2006

I've never had an employer ask for a credit report

Once long ago I had a job at a financial services company; they required everyone to be bonded but even they didn't pull my credit report. On the other hand, for a low-level job at an entertainment company, the HR dept did pull my credit report (which happened to include several years of recent self employment). Go figure.

Regardless, I've never, ever needed to show my tax returns to any employer or client. If you meet some extraordinarily rare employer who asks, just decline. Better to apply elsewhere than have to spend years wondering when you're going to be fired/arrested for criminal fraud.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 11:17 AM on February 6, 2006

I've never had an employer ask for a credit report

they don't ask you ... although you can check later on to see if they did ask the reporting services for one

it does happen
posted by pyramid termite at 11:09 PM on February 6, 2006